Trump unveils new US passport with his own face inside

Lead

President Donald Trump on Friday unveiled a rendering of a new limited-edition US passport to mark the country's 250th anniversary of independence, featuring his stern-faced likeness. The design, which Trump shared on his Truth Social platform, includes his signature and the text of the Declaration of Independence in the background. The White House posted the same rendering with the words "PATRIOT PASSPORT." The State Department had previously announced that a commemorative passport with "custom artwork" would be available from July 6, though it did not immediately respond to requests for comment at the time of the announcements.

Coverage comparison

Reports from BBC, Dawn, The Guardian, South China Morning Post, and The Hindu all covered the unveiling, with most focusing on the design details and availability. The Guardian took a more critical angle, emphasizing Trump's branding efforts and including criticism from Democrats. Dawn and The Hindu also highlighted that the passports will only be available through in-person appointments in Washington, as reported by a State Department official in April. The Guardian noted that the commemorative passport's finished artwork differs from an earlier State Department rendering from April.

Key claims

The new passport is a limited edition created to commemorate the 250th anniversary of American independence. The image on the passport features a glowering Trump leaning on his desk, with his signature and the text of the Declaration of Independence in the background. It appears to be based on a portrait taken by White House photographer Daniel Torok. The opposite page shows a painting depicting the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 1776, with the words "United States of America 250." The State Department will issue the commemorative passports from July 6 at the Washington Passport Agency, while supplies last. Access is limited: American citizens must make an in-person appointment at the passport agency in Washington DC, and cannot apply online or via mail. According to The Guardian, only two special acceptance events are currently listed on the department's website, both at the Washington Passport Agency, with more to be added.

Trump has aggressively put his personal stamp on government institutions, including flying banners of the president outside several government buildings and the Treasury Department saying his signature will soon appear on the one-dollar bill. Trump also added his name to the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, until a court ruled that it should be removed. The passport makes Trump the first sitting US president featured in Americans' travel documents.

Perspectives

Democrats: The plans for the Trump coins and the passport have been criticized by Democrats, as reported by The Guardian. No specific Democrats or their arguments were named in the provided material.

State Department: The State Department has announced that the commemorative passport with custom artwork will be available from July 6, and has said that the passports will be issued at the Washington Passport Agency while supplies last. A department official in April stated that the Trump-themed passports would be available only at in-person appointments in Washington, for as long as there is availability.